Our Staff
Our Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) treat people of all ages
with Type 1, Type 2 or Gestational Diabetes. We also consult non-diabetics with specific needs in the areas of weight loss, lifestyle
modification, and cardiovascular health.
Gary Scheiner MS, CDE Owner and Clinical Director
As a Certified Diabetes Educator and Type-1 diabetic for 20 years, Gary Scheiner knows and applies the latest techniques for achieving optimal diabetes control.
Gary earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from Benedictine University. He received his diabetes training with the world-renowned Joslin Diabetes Center. Gary served as a volunteer for the American Diabetes Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Diabetes Exercise & Sports Association. For even more details, see his curriculum vitae (coming soon).
He has authored four books: You Can Control Diabetes 1997, Think Like A Pancreas 2004, The Ultimate Guide to Carb Counting 2007, and Get Control of Your Blood Sugar 2009) and dozens of articles. He also speaks at local and national meetings on diabetes, fitness and motivation.
Gary received the 1997 William Martin Award for Outstanding Achievement in Patient Activities by the American Diabetes Association, the 1998 Allene Van Son Award for the development of effective diabetes teaching tools by the American Association of Diabetes Educators, and the 2003 Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Research Grant Award for the study of basal insulin profiles in insulin pump users. Since 1995, Gary has owned and operated Integrated Diabetes Services, specializing in intensive blood glucose control and lifestyle intervention for people who live with diabetes.
A devoted husband and father of four, Gary enjoys exercising (especially basketball, bicycling and kickboxing) and cheering on his local Philadelphia sports teams. Gary's e-mail is: Gary@integrateddiabetes.com.
Sarah A. Kangas BSN, MSN, CRNP, APRN-BC, RN
Diabetes Nurse-Practitioner
A midwestern gal born and raised, Sarah fell in love with Philadelphia after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a BSN (2004) and MSN (2007). Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 24, Sarah found solace in her "betes bible," Think Like a Pancreas".
Sarah previously worked at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA) for 5 years in multiple nursing specialties, including oncology, bone marrow transplant, emergency medicine, surgery, and general medicine. Of course, she was also called on to provide in-hospital diabetes education. Sarah began working part time as a Nurse Practitioner for a major insurance company performing in-residence Health Risk Assessments (2009). Always up for a challenge, Sarah started working with Integrated Diabetes Services in May 2010 to achieve her CDE (Certified Diabetes Educator) credentialing. Having worked in the hospital for the past 5 years, she is excited to have an office she can call her own!
A thyroid cancer survivor, Sarah is currently on an insulin pump and is fastidious about post-prandial blood sugar management and patient safety (always carrying glucose tablets, wearing medical ID, etc...). Her favorite glucose tab flavor is watermelon.
Sarah enjoys watching movies, GLEE, and Law & Order. She loves to try new recipes and is a big fan of the fountains in downtown Philadelphia and Monet's Waterlillys. Sarah lives in West Phladelphia with her two adorable kittens Isabella (Belly Boo) and Randy Moss (Schmalfin).
Sarah's e-mail is Sarah@integrateddiabetes.com.
Debbie Liebman, BSN, RN
Debbie does more than run the day-to-day operations of the office. She is also the "office mom", offering up advice on everything from how to manage cold symptoms to where to get a good bite to eat.
A former administrator and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Debbie joined Integrated Diabetes Services in July, 2004. She brings a special combination of organization, technical skills and a warm, caring personality. Debbie is responsible for scheduling, medical correspondence, product orders, charting, database maintenance and lots of miscellaneous "stuff". She also makes sure that the IDS clinical staff checks their blood sugars regularly and eats when they should. Much of Debbie's diabetes instincts come from caring for her daughter, Ellen, who has had diabetes since 1997 and now wears an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor. Debbie and her husband, Sam, live in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. A JDRF volunteer for many years, Debbie coordinates the highly successful IDS Walk Team at the Walk to Cure Diabetes and serves on the Secondary School Committee at the University of Pennsylvania.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, antiquing, rooting for the Phillies and spending time with family, friends and grand-dog Jake, an eight-pound fourteen year-old diabetic Maltese. Debbie's e-mail is Debbie@integrateddiabetes.com.
Karen Bellopede
Karen is the other "warm voice"on the phone (besides Debbie) that most people speak to and always has a smile for visitors. Here's her story:
When the first of her two children were born, she "retired" from the working world to be a full time mom - albeit with lots of volunteer work at her children's school. As her kids got older, she volunteered at Senior Safety Project in Media, an organization that assists senior citizens who are victims of crime. She then spent 21 years at Backe Communications as administrative assistant to the president of the company.
Karen has been with Integrated Diabetes Services since March of 2008. She is an easygoing person and likes the fun, relaxed environment at IDS. Karen has a passion for helping others and feels that working at IDS fills that personal need. Karen enjoys the social aspects of her work and likes getting to know everyone who walks in the door.
Karen's personal interests include reading, cross-stitching, crocheting and listening to jazz. She loves to play with her four grandchildren, and enjoys going to the Jersey shore (near Avalon) for weekends during the summer. Karen is also a traveler; she has been to Hawaii, Aruba, and Alaska. She would love to go back to Hawaii (and live there if she could). Her future plans include trips to Ireland and Italy. Karen's e-mail is Karen@integrateddiabetes.com.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call toll-free:
(USA) 877-735-3648.